Second-placed Notts had started the day well against the leaders, removing Scott Borthwick for 24 before Burns survived an appeal for a caught behind off Stuart Broad on 99.

But, after Aaron Finch and Ben Foakes departed cheaply and Ollie Pope added a useful 30, the Surrey skipper saw his innings end after almost five-and-a-half hours at the crease when he was caught by Steven Mullaney at slip off the bowling of Samit Patel.

Clarke reached his first Championship century since 2012, and his first for Surrey since his first spell with the Oval side in 2006, while Morkel (28) and Jade Dernbach (27) made useful tail-end contributions as the table-toppers racked up maximum bonus points.

Mullaney (19 no) and Will Fraine (17 no) will resume on the third morning at Trent Bridge, knowing that Notts face an uphill struggle to avoid losing the game.

Nottinghamshire captain Steven Mullaney:

"We are under no illusions that we are coming second in this fixture so far and all credit to Surrey, who have played really well.

"We have been miles away from anywhere near our best and they fully deserve to be on top.

"We've now got two days to show what we're made of. They are a strong team and I can't see many chinks in their armour but it's up to teams like us to try and find that."

Surrey all-rounder Rikki Clarke:

"I'm very pleased and more importantly, we are in a good position.

"It's well documented that I was with Surrey from the Under-9s, and it has a special place in my heart. It's brilliant being back and it feels like home.

"I think it will be a lot different tomorrow to the first innings.

"Maybe the ball won't swing as much as it did, so it will be a difficult task ahead for us but they are still 300 behind and we'd have taken that at the end of the second day."